Firefighters stage further strike over pensions proposals

Firefighters in England are taking further industrial action over pensions today (9 December) following the government’s decision to commence the Parliamentary procedure to implement regulations for a revised pension scheme.

After nearly three years of negotiations, firefighters in England are being offered a reduced pension if they fail fitness tests and even redundancy.

Evidence presented by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has created considerable cross party political opposition to proposals for firefighter pensions. Some MPs in Westminster, for example, have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM 454) opposing the draft regulations.

No strike action is taking place in Wales or Scotland due to ongoing negotiations, and in Northern Ireland the dispute over pensions was lifted due to a revised offer to staff with a lower pension age.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Firefighters in England are reluctantly calling further strike action today as a direct result of the Westminster government’s failure to listen and negotiate over pensions.

“Firefighters are asking the Westminster government to immediately open genuine negotiations to resolve this dispute. They should also hold a House of Commons debate to fully scrutinise the legislation, and there should be a parliamentary vote on the regulations.”